Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips from Allstate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) September 26, 2011 -- Carbon monoxide kills hundreds and sickens thousands of Americans every year. The poisonous gas cannot be smelled, which is why many states require carbon monoxide detectors in homes and apartment buildings. A little planning combined with a small investment can protect you and your family from this odorless and invisible killer.

Carbon monoxide fumes can come from many sources, including stoves, faulty furnaces or car exhaust. That’s why you should have all fuel burning appliances installed by professionals - and never use a stove or oven to heat a home. Technically, carbon monoxide is produced when fuels do not burn completely. Whether you use natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene or wood as fuel in your home, you are producing carbon monoxide. To detect this poisonous gas leaks consumers should equip their homes with carbon monoxide detectors.

“It is very important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your house,” said Allstate spokesperson John Heid. “Put one on every floor of the house, especially bedrooms and upstairs.”

If the detector’s alarm goes off, you should immediately go outside for some fresh air, then call 911 for emergency services. Allstate also recommends testing carbon monoxide detectors twice a year to make sure the circuitry is working.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers more information on the dangers of carbon monoxide and the proper use of carbon monoxide detectors on its web site: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/466.html.

The particular risk carbon monoxide presents is that it can happen while you are sleeping—people can literally sleep right through fatal poisoning with carbon monoxide.

“You won’t know you are being poisoned until it’s too late,” warns Heid.

Other quick tips to remember are:
• Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
• Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.

• Carbon monoxide detectors are made for boats and recreational vehicles as well.

About the Allstate Corporation

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

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